Island



(No Model.)

G. H. GORLISS.

GOVERNOR FOR STEAM ENGINES. No. 324,459. Patented Aug. 18, 1885.

N PETERS. Hwkv-U hcgraphen Wuhington M:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GOVERNOR FOR STEAM-ENGINES.

$PBCIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 324,459. dated August18, 1835.

Application filed June 13, 1885. (No model.)

To all whontit may concern:

Be it known that L-GEORGE H. CoRLIss, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Providence, in the State of RhodeIsland, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Governorsfor Steam- Engines and other Motors, of which the following is aspecification.

The improvement applies to all the forms of fly-ball governors, andresides in the method of constructing the apparatus for counterbalancingthe balls of a centrifugal regulator, so that they may be maintained indifferent planes of elevation with unchanging velocity.

I employ the gravity of a rolling ball mounted on a properly-curvedlever so connected that the inclination changes and the ball rollsinward or outward with each change of the position of the fly-balls. Ihave combined with the above an adjustable provision for arrestingvibrations in the governor. The provision of a piston working loosely ina cylinder, set forth in my patent dated June 10, 1851, No. 8,148,serves for this, adding simply a disk mounted horizontally over aliberal aperture, and adjusted in distance therefrom by a screw-threadedstem and means for turning it. It is held firmly by a jam-nut whenproperly adjusted. The disk, with the means for adjusting it, givescomplete control of the area for the passage of the liquid, and makes iteasy to so adjust as to allow the governor to act with promptnesswithout changing so freely as to have vibrations of speed-first too fastand then too slow. The combination of the whole makes the governorprompt, without vibrations, and equable in its effect in all positions.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, andrepresent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan View; Fig. 2, an elevation partly in verticalsection, and Fig. 3 a cross-section on the line a: a: in Figs. land 2.

The above figures show the novel parts,with so much of the ordinaryparts as is necessary to show their relations thereto.

Fig. 4 is an elevation on a smaller scale, showing the same with all thegeneral mechanism of a fly-ball governor, to which the invention isapplied.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures where they occur. A is a stationary frame-work, certain portionsbeing designated, when necessary, by additional marks, as AA Thegovernor may be of the ordinary construction-an upright shaft to whichfly-balls are connected by hinged armsso that they may swing indifferent decreases.

B is a lever, curved, as shown, and having an accurately-curved andsmoothly-finished track in its hollowed upper face, as indicated by B,adapted to guide a well-finished ball, 0, which rolls thereon. It hasalso guards B extending entirely around it and a little out of contactwith the ball 0.

B is the hinge by which the lever B is supported at one end on thebracket A fixed on A. The opposite end of B is jointed at B to the rodD, which connects it to the governor.

Referring to Fig. 4, the upright shaft E is turned by bevel-gearing (notshown) from the shaft F, receiving motion from the pulley F by a belt(not represented) impelled by the engine. (Not shown.) Knuckles Fconnect arms F supporting fly-balls F and connected by links G to theslee'veH, which is raised or lowered as the centrifugal force or thegravity of the fiy-balls F* shall alternately prevail with the changesof velocity of the engine.

I is a bell-crank lever, the lower arm of which engages in a groove inthe sleeve H, while the upper arm is connected to a rod, J, which, as itis shifted endwise by well-known means, (not shown,) varies the pointofcutoff to maintain a uniform speed of the engine.

The rod D connects the free end of the lever B with the lower arm oflover I. It pulls downthe ball 0 rolls toward or from the fulcrum B ofthe lever B; It pulls downward with greater force as the balls sink. Theweight of the ball 0 and the length and curvature of the lever B aresuch as to effect a counterbalanceof the governor -balls in differentplanes of elevation and maintain a uniform velocity of speed in theengine.

The proportions may be varied within considerable limits,each changeinducing a change in some respect in the effect. I have shown planes ofelevation as the speed increases or' ward on the balls F with a forcewhich varies as what I esteem the best forms and proportions for generalpractice.

K is a rod, pivoted also to the lower arm of the lever I, and connectingit to the piston M, which plays with moderate tightness in the verticalcylinder A and is provided with a considerable aperture, m. The cylinderA is nearly filled with water, oil, or other inelastic fluid, whichresists the movement of M up or down, except as the fluid, or rather theliquid, can flow through the aperture m. The device offersno appreciableresistance to slow changes of posit-ion, but ery great resistance toquick changes. It is similar to the means for at taming this end setforth in the patent granted to me dated June 10, 1851, No. 8,148, exeept as now to be described.

P is a flat valve or disk, having a screwthreaded stem, 1 tapped throughan eye, N formed on the wrist-pin N, by which the rod K is connected toM. The upper end of l is squared, to be turned by a wrench. Q is ajam-nut. This valve is just enough above the orifice m to sufiicientlyrestrain the flow of water, oil, or other liquid through. It afl'ords aneasy means of adjusting the efficiency of this restraint on the governorto prevent 0bjectionable vibrations. It also performs the function ofarresting and deflecting longitudinally in all directions any strong jetof oil or other liquid, which is liable to shoot upward through m whenthe piston M is violently depressed.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions without departingfrom the prin ciple orsacrificing the advantages of the inventiou. Partsofthe invention may be used without the whole. I can dispense with thenarrow track Bon the lever B; but it will then be necessary to finish agreater width of the interior of the concave upper surface of B. Iprefer the whole used together, and proportioned about as shown.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of a centrifugal governor,as F F G H, with a lever, as B,and a rolling ball, as C, and a piston,M, having an ad justable opening, 122, working easily in a cylinder, A,containing liquid, all arranged for joint operation, as hereinspecified.

2. The adjusting-disk I, and means, as 1 Q, for varying its distancefrom the piston M, an opening, on, in combination therewith and with thecylinder A lever B, shifting weight, as G, and a centrifugal governor,all arranged for joint operation, as herein specified.

3. In combination with a centrifugal governor and steadying-piston, M,having opening at, working in a cylinder, A containing an inelasticfinid, the disk 1?, stem P, and confining-nut Q, eye N, and pin N, thelatter serving the double function ofa wrist for the rod K and a supportfor the disk, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand,at Providence, RhodeIsland, this 2d day of June, 1885, in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

GEORGE H. CORLISS.

W itncsses:

HENRY MAnsH, J12, \VILLTAM B. SHERMAN.

